(11-17-2019 10:55 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Seems like a good time to compare the Nooch vs last year since the Dukes have now played 11 games which equals the number of 2018 regular season games.

2018 regular season
Passing 169 comp 245 att 69% 1,860 yds 15 TD 7 INT
Rushing (backing out sacks) 62 att 498 yds 8 TD 3 lost fumbles
Sacked 22 times

2019 regular season
Passing 179 comp 257 att 70% 2,423 yds 20 TD 4 INT
Rushing (backing out sacks) 58 att 463 yds 4 TD 1 lost fumble
Sacked 20 times

He is a very similar player this year with the big exception of improvement on reducing turnovers. 50% less than last year.
No doubt, Polk’s arrival has also given him another weapon that turns short passes into long gains as well as the occasional long pass, long gain. JMU’s longest pass play last year was 47 yards. JMU has had 7 pass plays longer than that this year and Polk has 6 of them.

The Dukes have run the ball 2/3 of the time because it has been effective doing so. While Cignetti has not gotten the #1 rushing team in the nation that he was shooting for, it is significantly better than last year. 236 yards per game vs 183 yards per game. The Dukes have not been forced to pass as much in down & distance situations.
Play action passing > forced passing.

In the regular season Cignetti and Montgomery have done a great job of getting the Nooch to avoid the game changing turnovers. Hopefully that carries over into the playoffs since the habits have been ingrained all season.

I knew Polk had made a difference in the long ball but I didn't realize it was that BIG of a difference.

I really think the OL needs a lot of credit here. I'm shocked the sacks are comparable but I think they are a big part in the improved rushing and passing stats. Similar sacks might actually be due to Ben having better protection initially so he is being patient vs immediately scrambling but that is just a wild @$$ guess really.